A Tiny Muskoka Cottage Gets a Spacious Makeover

August 8, 2017Amber Dowling

Lorne and Jenny loved the location of their Muskoka cottage, but with four children who are quickly becoming adults and space at a premium, they needed some hard and fast solutions to their cottage woes. Luckily, Dan Vickery and his Love It Or List It Vacation Homes team had some pretty ingenious solutions. Here's how he reconfigured a small cottage into a fully functional property that easily accommodates six.

Love It or List It Vacation Homes

A Tiny Muskoka Cottage Gets a Spacious Makeover

August 8, 2017 Amber Dowling

Lorne and Jenny loved the location of their Muskoka cottage, but with four children who are quickly becoming adults and space at a premium, they needed some hard and fast solutions to their cottage woes. Luckily, Dan Vickery and his Love It Or List It Vacation Homes team had some pretty ingenious solutions. Here's how he reconfigured a small cottage into a fully functional property that easily accommodates six.

A Spacious Entertaining Space

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A Spacious Entertaining Space

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Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

This family of six definitely needed a space to spread out, so Dan was sure to give it to them. He blew out the living room by expanding it onto the deck, creating a natural extension of the space. Hardwood floors create a uniform flow, while a couple of easy chairs and a plush couch add lots of seating options. Then, a natural ceiling above adds a rustic, cottage feel, while below a coffee table on wheels is easily removed to allow for even more space when friends or family come to visit.

A Spacious Entertaining Space

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This family of six definitely needed a space to spread out, so Dan was sure to give it to them. He blew out the living room by expanding it onto the deck, creating a natural extension of the space. Hardwood floors create a uniform flow, while a couple of easy chairs and a plush couch add lots of seating options. Then, a natural ceiling above adds a rustic, cottage feel, while below a coffee table on wheels is easily removed to allow for even more space when friends or family come to visit.

Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

Natural Light

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Natural Light

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Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

Dan kept the walkout to this deck in order to further extend the living space in the warmer months, giving the family plenty of options. Meanwhile picture windows on the other side of room let even more natural light spill in, making this room feel spacious and welcoming.

Natural Light

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Dan kept the walkout to this deck in order to further extend the living space in the warmer months, giving the family plenty of options. Meanwhile picture windows on the other side of room let even more natural light spill in, making this room feel spacious and welcoming.

Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

Warm Touches

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Warm Touches

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Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

We love the addition of this cozy bench by the fireplace. The plush, leather cushion atop the rich wood finish of the bench itself adds a luxurious but rustic look, which is then tied together with a simple throw blanket, a hardcover book and a mug.

Warm Touches

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We love the addition of this cozy bench by the fireplace. The plush, leather cushion atop the rich wood finish of the bench itself adds a luxurious but rustic look, which is then tied together with a simple throw blanket, a hardcover book and a mug.

Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

A Bright New Kitchen

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A Bright New Kitchen

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Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

Dan made sure to upgrade the heart of this vacation home with lots of bright, welcoming finishes such as the simple but detailed backsplash, new stainless steel appliances, and cream-coloured cabinets with modern and sleek hardware. A new range and some pops of modern green complete the look.

A Bright New Kitchen

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Dan made sure to upgrade the heart of this vacation home with lots of bright, welcoming finishes such as the simple but detailed backsplash, new stainless steel appliances, and cream-coloured cabinets with modern and sleek hardware. A new range and some pops of modern green complete the look.

Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

An Extended New Island

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An Extended New Island

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Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

This new central kitchen island is perfect for large families and entertaining alike. The extended counter space makes it easy to prep on while still utilizing it as a breakfast bar, while the side trim adds even more intricate detailing to the overall design. Meanwhile, some clear light fixtures above keeps the space streamlined and open.

An Extended New Island

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This new central kitchen island is perfect for large families and entertaining alike. The extended counter space makes it easy to prep on while still utilizing it as a breakfast bar, while the side trim adds even more intricate detailing to the overall design. Meanwhile, some clear light fixtures above keeps the space streamlined and open.

Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

Extra Details

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Extra Details

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Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

The pretty panelling on this wall adds even more character to the space, while cupboards and a dishwasher utilize the island's full potential. Some high-backed, button chairs add instant design appeal and pop against the creamy whites in the room, and fresh flowers help bring it all together.

Extra Details

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The pretty panelling on this wall adds even more character to the space, while cupboards and a dishwasher utilize the island's full potential. Some high-backed, button chairs add instant design appeal and pop against the creamy whites in the room, and fresh flowers help bring it all together.

Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

Contemporary Dining

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Contemporary Dining

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Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

The new dining space is elegant and contemporary thanks to the dark finishes of the wood and the mixture of high-backed chairs with the plush bench seating. Add in a simple lantern centrepiece and a few framed family photos above, and this is a cozy but comfortable space to break bread.

Contemporary Dining

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The new dining space is elegant and contemporary thanks to the dark finishes of the wood and the mixture of high-backed chairs with the plush bench seating. Add in a simple lantern centrepiece and a few framed family photos above, and this is a cozy but comfortable space to break bread.

Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

The Boys Room

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The Boys Room

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Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

Before, this room wasn't quite big enough for two actual beds; bunkbeds occupied the space instead. But Dan was able to take some space from the washroom and extend the room, therefore increasing the overall footprint. Now two double beds with some simple checkered bedspreads are perfect for a couple of young adults boys. A simple shared night table and framed prints complete the look.

The Boys Room

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Before, this room wasn't quite big enough for two actual beds; bunkbeds occupied the space instead. But Dan was able to take some space from the washroom and extend the room, therefore increasing the overall footprint. Now two double beds with some simple checkered bedspreads are perfect for a couple of young adults boys. A simple shared night table and framed prints complete the look.

Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

The Girls Room

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The Girls Room

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Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

The girls' room also gained a bit of extra space when Dan moved the doorway to reconfigure the overall layout. Now it sits in a similar way as the boys' room does, but more feminine elements, such as the soft green bedspreads, a white night table and a pretty teal colour on the wall help to pull it all together and define it as a separate space.

The Girls Room

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The girls' room also gained a bit of extra space when Dan moved the doorway to reconfigure the overall layout. Now it sits in a similar way as the boys' room does, but more feminine elements, such as the soft green bedspreads, a white night table and a pretty teal colour on the wall help to pull it all together and define it as a separate space.

Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

A Redesigned Bathroom

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A Redesigned Bathroom

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Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

Bathroom redesigns don't have to be huge in order to be functional, and Dan proved that yet again with this space. He lost some square footage to the boys' room, but added an oversized standup shower with built-in storage that's a good size for all family members, making the most of the smaller space.

A Redesigned Bathroom

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Bathroom redesigns don't have to be huge in order to be functional, and Dan proved that yet again with this space. He lost some square footage to the boys' room, but added an oversized standup shower with built-in storage that's a good size for all family members, making the most of the smaller space.

Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

Dual Vanities

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Dual Vanities

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Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

As anyone from a large family can attest, bathroom space is a hot commodity -- especially vanity space. Dan knew this, which is why he had two vanities installed. Now more than one family member can use the washroom at the same time when it comes to daily tasks like putting on makeup or brushing your teeth.

Dual Vanities

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As anyone from a large family can attest, bathroom space is a hot commodity -- especially vanity space. Dan knew this, which is why he had two vanities installed. Now more than one family member can use the washroom at the same time when it comes to daily tasks like putting on makeup or brushing your teeth.

Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

A Smaller Master Bedroom

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A Smaller Master Bedroom

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Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

This master bedroom may be a bit smaller now that Dan took some space for the new ensuite, but it feels as spacious as ever thanks to the number of windows allowing all of that natural light to soak through. Meanwhile wood panelling on the walls adds a rustic, vacation vibe to the design, and a new walkout adds even more functionality and potential.

A Smaller Master Bedroom

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This master bedroom may be a bit smaller now that Dan took some space for the new ensuite, but it feels as spacious as ever thanks to the number of windows allowing all of that natural light to soak through. Meanwhile wood panelling on the walls adds a rustic, vacation vibe to the design, and a new walkout adds even more functionality and potential.

Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

A Dreamy New Ensuite

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A Dreamy New Ensuite

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Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

This new ensuite is the perfect little romantic retreat for the homeowners, away from the kids. The soft white finishes of the vanity and the paint brighten up the room, while upgraded hardware and faucets add a modern touch. Some teal hand towels add a little colour to the design, while the black trim of the mirrors adds a rich, dramatic finish.

A Dreamy New Ensuite

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This new ensuite is the perfect little romantic retreat for the homeowners, away from the kids. The soft white finishes of the vanity and the paint brighten up the room, while upgraded hardware and faucets add a modern touch. Some teal hand towels add a little colour to the design, while the black trim of the mirrors adds a rich, dramatic finish.

Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

A Spa-Like Shower

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A Spa-Like Shower

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Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo

Last but not least Dan added this gorgeous, stand-up shower with sleek, contemporary tiling and a modern glass finish. Between all of the new space, functionality and design that Dan was able to instil in this once-small Muskoka home, it came as no surprise to us when the homeowners decided to love their space in the end.

A Spa-Like Shower

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Last but not least Dan added this gorgeous, stand-up shower with sleek, contemporary tiling and a modern glass finish. Between all of the new space, functionality and design that Dan was able to instil in this once-small Muskoka home, it came as no surprise to us when the homeowners decided to love their space in the end.